Sanding-machine.



Patented Oc't. 3|, I899.

M. V. B. HOWE.

SANDING MACHINE.

(Agplication filed Aug. 15, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet (No Modalz) I nventor.

MQfiV J ZG Q v Attorneys.

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No. 635,777. Patented Oct. 3|, 1899.

M. V. B. HOWE.

SANDING MACHINE.

(Application filed'Aug. 15, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets8heet 2.

Inventor.

3r Q" Attorneys.

In: nomus runs 00.. muwa. wwmoroa. n. c.

- LFFIQE.

PATENT MARTIN V. B. HOl/VE, OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SANDING- MACHINE.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,777, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed August 15, 1898. Serial No. 688,586. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN V. B. HOWE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gardner, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Sanding-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a machine which has been especially designed for smoothing or sanding chair-backs and similar curved pieces.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, efficient, and inexpensive construction which may be employed for simultaneously smoothing both sides of chair-backs, the parts of the machine being so arranged that the chair-backs may be handled in a simple and efficient manner, and, if desired, the machine maybe used for finishing-or smoothing the chair-backs or similar articles on one side only.

To these ends my invention consists of the construction and combinations of parts, as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a partial front view of a sanding-machine constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial transverse sectional View of the same. Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive, are detail views illustrating the construction of the abrading-wheel or sandingdrum which I preferably employ. Fig. 6 is a detail View of the independent hubs of the sanding-drum, to be hereinafter referred to; and Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating the preferred construction for supporting and operating the feed-bars of the machine.

In finishing or smoothing up chair-backs or similar curved pieces the work has heretofore ordinarily been presented or held up by hand to a sandpaper-wheel or other suitable abrading-drum. In smoothing or finishing chairbacks in this manner but one side can be smoothed or sanded at a time, and the uniformity or excellence of the work depends upon the care and skill of the operator. The

especial object of my present invention is, therefore, to provide a machine which will automatically and simultaneously sand or smooth the opposite sides of curved pieces of wood-such, for example, as are employed for chair-backs. To this end a sanding-machine constructed according to my invention comprises a sanding-drum or othersuitable abrading-Wheel, a plurality of connected feed-bars mounted to successively move past the sanding-drum, and gearing for advancing the feedbars at a relatively low speed.

WVhen the machine is to be employed for simultaneously finishing both sides of chairbacks, I employ two suitably-driven drums or sanding-wheels. The upper drum may be weighted or counterbalanced in any desired manner to exert the desired degree of ressure on the Work, and both drums are preferably belted or driven to rotate at a comparatively high rate of. speed. The normal distance between the sanding drums may be regulated by adjustable stops. The curved pieces to be operated upon are introduced to the bite of the sanding-drums and may be supported by light guiding shoes or shields. The action of the drums upon the work tends to draw the same forward, and to govern the successive chair-backs so that they will advance at a comparatively low speed only I preferably employ a feeding or governing frame which comprises annular end gears connected together by feed-bars. The feedingframe is preferably journaled on adjustable friction-rolls and is advanced or permitted to turn forward by means of small pinions or other suitable gearing.

The sanding Wheels or drums ordinarily em-' ployed in finishing woodwork usually consist simply of cylinders provided with a groove or gap on one side. Sandpaper or other suitable abrading material is Wrapped around these cores and the ends of the sheet are secured in the groove. In practice I have found that sand wheels or drums constructed in this manner, so as to present but a part of their periphery to the work, are objectionable, as the sandpaper is apt to be worn or torn at the edges of the groove and an absolutely uniform finish cannot be secured by this construction. To avoid this objection, the sanding abrading-wheels herein illustrated each comprise two sectors mounted on a shaft. The combined periphery of the two sectors is somewhat less than a full circumference, and to make up the periphery of the wheel I preferably employ a movable section which can be moved out of the way while sandpaper and a suitable backing are being secured upon the drum and which can then be fastened in place to complete the periphery of the wheel and stretch the sandpaper to the desired tension.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, I will first describe the form of sanding-drum or abrading-wheel which I preferably employ. This construction is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5. As shown in these figures, a sanding drum or wheel constructed according to my invention comprises two sectors 10 and 11. The sectors 10 and 11 are connected by spokes to independent hubs 12 and 13. The hub 12 is preferably secured rigidly on the shaft on which the sanding-drum is to be mounted, and the hub 13 is left free to revolve thereon, but is held in place by means of a collar 14. Hinged on the section 12 is a movable section 15, which can be secured in place by catches or turn-buttons, as 16. Bolted inside of the opposite edges of the sectors 10 and 11 are primary fastening-pieces 17, which carry sandpaper-fastening strips, as 18.

To dress or clothe a sandpaper-drum constructed according to my invention, the movable section 15 is preferably thrown back, as illustrated in Fig. at, and then a layer of car pet orother suitable lining material C is first stitched over the surfaces of the sectors 10 and 11, the ends of the carpet being clamped in place by the primary clamping-strips 17. A sheet of sandpaper or other suitable abrading material P is then stitched over the surface of the sectors 10 and 11, the ends of the sandpaper being secured in place by the sandpaper-clam pin g strips 18. The primary clamping-strips 17 are connected by bolts, which may be tightened to secure the desired tension of the clothing,which will bring the clamping edges of the sectors 10 and 11 comparatively close together. The periphery of the wheel or drum may then be made substantially continuous by securing the movable section 15 down in place, as illustrated in Fig. If desired, also, a shim or strip 19 may be inserted between the clamping edges of the sectors 10 and 11, so that the sanding-drum will present an absolutely continuous periphery, although in practice I have found that by properly proportioning the parts a substantially continuous periphery may beobtained without the use of the strip 19.

It is obvious, of course, that other forms of sandingwheels may be employed, if desired, and while I have herein illustrated and described a special construction of sanding wheel or drum I do not herein claim the specific construction of said sanding wheel or drum, as I propose to claim the same in a separate application for patent.

The framing and driving connections of my sanding-machine may be of any ordinary or preferred construction.

The form of machine illustrated comprises side frame F is a shaft 19, having the bottom sanding wheel or drum A secured thereon. Pivotally supported in uprights 20 on the side framesFis a frame 2l,journaled in which is the upper sanding-drum B. The pivoted frame 21 may be suitably counterbalanced by an adjustable weight, as 24, and the motion of the pivoted frame 21 may be limited by stopscrews 25, as shown. The sanding-wheel B may be driven by a pulley 22, which may be belted from a pulley 23, which pulley23 may be driven or belted from any desired source of power. The lower drum or sanding-wheel A may be belted or driven in any desired manner, which it is not necessary to herein show or describe. Secured on the side frames F are flexible curved sheet-metal guiding pieces or shields 26.

To control the work while the same is being operated upon by the sanding-drums, I employ a feeding-frame, which preferably comprises rim-gears 28, connected by transverse feed-bars 27. This feed-frame is preferably supported or journaled on suitable friction-rollers 29. The friction-rollers 29 are journaled upon studs 30, secured in adjustable pieces 31, which can be set to the desired position on the side frames F of the machine, as shown most clearly by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. A feed'shaft 32 is journaled in suitable brackets secured on the side frame and is preferably belted to turn at a comparatively low speed by means of a step-cone 33. Secured on the feed-shaft 32 are pinions 34:, which mesh with the rim-gears of the feedframe.

In the operation of the machine the curved chair-backs are introduced between the sanding-drums A and I3,the front ends of the chairbacks abuttingagainst feed-bars 27, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7. In the arrangement shown the feed-bars move in an orbit around the lower feed-drum,-and as the feed-shaft permits these feed-bars to advance more or less rapidly they will permit the work to advance between the sanding-drums A and B. \Vhen both of the feed-drums A and B are driven at high working speeds, both sides of the chair-backs will be smoothed or finished. It is desirable, however, in some casesas, for example, where designs are embossed on the inside of chair-backs--to sand or finish only the outer curved surface thereof, and in such cases the lower feed-drum A may be left idle or may be geared to turn at the same speed as the feed of the work, so as to act simply as a support for the work, which will be finished or smoothed on its outer face by the upper sanding-drum I3.

In some instances it may be desirable to use a sanding-machine constructed according to my invention for smoothing or finishing straight stock. When it is desired to do this, it is simply necessary to throw off the end belt which drives the common pulley 33 and stop the feed-frame, so that the feed-bars 27 will stand far enough either side of the sanding-drums not to interfere with the operation thereof. The lower sandingdrum' A may then be geared or driven by belt, as before set forth, to act as a rotary feed-table, permitting plane stock to be advanced at a slow speed and finished or smoothed on its upper face by the sanding-drum b. In a similar manner the upper sanding-drum B may be thrown out of operation Whenever it is desired to simply smooth or finish the inner surface of chair-backs or similar articles.

I am aware that changes may be made in the construction of my sanding machine by those who are skilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the construction which I have shown and described; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an abrading-wheel, a plurality of feed-bars mounted to successively move past the abrading-wheel, and gearing for advancing the feed-bars at a relatively low speed, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for sanding curved chairbacks or similar pieces, the combination of an abrading-wheel, a plurality of feed-bars connected to move in an orbit about the abrading-Wheel, and means for advancing the feedbars at a relatively low speed, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for sanding chair-backs or similar pieces, the combination of an abrading-wheel, a feed-frame inclosing said abrading-wheel, and comprising annular end gears connected by feed-bars, and means for turning said feed-frame at a relatively low speed, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for sanding curved chairbacks or similar pieces, the combination of a pair of abrading wheels or drums, a feedingframe comprising annular end gears connected by feeding-bars which are adapted to move between said drums, and gearing for turning said feeding-frame, substantially as described.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a lower abrading wheel or drum journaled in fixed bearings, and a movable abrading wheel or drum cooperating therewith, said movable wheel being suitably counterbalanced, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of side frames, a lower drum or sanding-wheel journaled in fixed bearings thereon, a pivoted frame, an upper drum or sanding-wheel journaled therein, an adjust able counterbalance for said frame, and stops for limiting the motion thereof, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for sanding chair-backs or similar curved pieces, the combination of side frames, a sanding-drum journaled in fixed bearings thereon, a pivoted frame,- an adj ustable counterbalance therefor, stops for limiting the motion of the pivoted frame, a sanding-wheel journaled in said frame, a feed frame comprising annular end gears connected by feed-bars, said feed-frame being supported by adjustable rolls on the side frames, and gearing for turning said feedframe at a relatively low speed, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of side frames F, a sanding-drum A journaled in fixed bearings thereon, a pivoted frame 21, a sanding-wheel B journaled therein, a weight 24 for counterbalancing said sanding-drum B, stops as 25 for limiting the motion thereof, and a feeding mechanism for the work," comprising a feed-frame having annular end gears 28 connected by feed-bars 27, adjustable rollers 29 for supporting the feed-frame, and gearing for turn ing said feed-frame at a relatively low speed, and curved supporting pieces or guides as 26 for supporting the work while the same is being smoothed or sanded, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN V. B. HOWE.

WVitnesses:

LoUIs W. SOUTHGATE, PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE. 

